Everything opening in Brooklyn this summer

The Dumbo House (with its rooftop pool) is already open and taking memberships. (It’s cheaper than a house in the Hamptons.) Photo: Soho House

Are you keeping track of all the things opening in Brooklyn this summer? From food halls to ferry routes, you’d need a google spreadsheet. Lucky for you, we’ve done the work. Here’s our overview of everything you have to look forward to, plus a few recent openings to add to your summer bucket list. It’s going to be a good one!

photo: @chelseapiersnyc

Now Open: Chelsea Piers Fitness

Chelsea Piers Fitness Brooklyn has finally opened for business, with state of the art facilities and quality classes with five studio spaces for spin, yoga, barre, pilates, TRX and boxing. Relax in between workouts in the sauna, steam room or in-club cafe, and best of all, there is a 75-foot pool in this location which will be worth the price of the membership this summer. One thing that’s different about the Brooklyn location is that there are no kid offerings, besides the babysitting services. Chelsea Piers Fitness Brooklyn, 265 Schermerhorn Street, Downtown Brooklyn.

Photo: @nyclovesnyc

Now Open: Domino Park

The waterfront Domino Park has come to life on the grave of the defunct Domino Sugar Refinery. This six-acre-park has everything you would want (or didn’t realize you wanted) in a park. It’s designed by the same people behind the Highline, and the vibe is similar. An elevated catwalk, called the Artifact Walk, runs over five blocks. Remnants of the factory, including old cranes and tanks, have been left on site and painted bright colors. A high design, factory-esque playground includes slides, tunnels, and a sugar silo. Then there’s a dog park, green grass by the water, fountains, and a taco stand by Danny Meyer. Why are you still reading this? It’s open now! And we have a perfect day trip planned for you when you go. Domino Park, 15 River St., Williamsburg.

Opening June 30: Ocean Wonders: Sharks! at The New York Aquarium

After a long delay following Hurricane Sandy damage, the New York Aquarium in Coney Island will open a new exhibit, Ocean Wonder: Sharks! Housed in a brand-new, 57,000-square-foot structure, it includes a “shimmer wall” outside and more than half a million gallons of water inside, allowing guests to explore a coral reef and wander through a shipwreck. More than 115 species of sea life will be living in the exhibit, including sand tiger sharks, sandbar sharks, loggerhead sea turtles, and cownose rays. New York Aquarium, Surf Avenue & West 8th Street, Coney Island.

Coming sometime early summer: A new restaurant from the La Vara team

The owners of Cobble Hill’s La Vara are opening a fish-centric restaurant in Cobble Hill. (This was originally going to be called The Pilar, named after Ernest Hemingway’s boat. But, as there is already Pilar Cuban Eatery in Clinton Hill, they have changed course and the new name is TBD.) We do know that the opening is planned for early summer and will be located where their now-closed coffee shop, Tekoá, used to stand. It will be open all day, but be more of a dinner destination. 264 Clinton St., at Verandah Place, Cobble Hill

photo: @sunrise_mart

Coming in July: Japan Village at Industry City

Did you wish for an Eataly-style Japanese marketplace? The fairy godmother at Industry City is about to make all your dreams come true. The owners of East Village/ Midtown/ Soho favorite, Sunrise Mart are opening a 20,000-square-foot store filled to the brim with ramen, sushi, mochi, and all things Japanese. There will be a sake store, food stalls, an izakaya, as well as the grocery store. Although this was originally slated for a June opening, it is now looking like July, according to their PR company. Also, at Industry City this summer, look for The Frying Pan’s new nostalgic game room with arcade games, ping pong and Dance Dance Revolution. Plus, stop by for The Bell House Summer Series including free concerts with acts like Guided By Voices 8/16. If that’s not enough, there’s more to look forward to this fall, when the Jewish deli sandwich shop by the pitmaster behind Hometown Bar-B-Que is expected to open. It will include pastrami, corned beef and the egg salad of your dreams with indoor and outdoor seating. 220 36th St., between 2nd and 3rd Avenues, Industry City, Sunset Park.

Flowers and trees were planted on Pier 3 earlier this month, to make way for its July opening. Photo: Brooklyn Bridge Park

Coming in July: More acreage and features in Brooklyn Bridge Park

We may have to wait until 2020 for the opening of the new public pool in Squibb Park in Brooklyn Heights, but the final additions to Brooklyn Bridge Park should keep us entertained this summer at least. Pier 3 brings the final pier of the park, and five new acres of parkland, including a central lawn, a cedar grove perfect for picnicking, and a labyrinth garden featuring a maze of different elements from a walk-in kaleidoscope to echo games. Yes, that is what Brooklyn Bridge Park had been missing! The pier will open in July.

photo: @turnstiletours

Coming in July: Russ & Daughters in the Navy Yard

The Building 77 Food Hub is going to be yet another food hall. But this 60,000-square-foot food hall in the Brooklyn Navy Yard actually makes sense. With the addition of luxury condos, office spaces, manufacturing spaces, Brooklyn Grange, and a film studio, among other things, there needs to be some eating options to support this new community. Brooklyn restaurants will be represented with Brooklyn Greenery, The Food Sermon, We Rub You, Rustik Tavern, and Grandchamps. The Brooklyn outpost of Russ & Daughters will be opening in July, with the rest of them on a rolling basis.

photo: @nyc_ferry

Coming late summer: New ferry routes

Two new ferry routes are planned for this summer: with routes to the Lower East Side and Soundview, Bronx. This will be the first and only ferry route stopping in the Bronx. The ferry costs the same amount as a subway at $2.75 and construction is already up and running. Although these don’t connect directly with Brooklyn, with transfers this allows access to even more waterfront neighborhoods that are otherwise inaccessible by subway. (Don’t forget, the best way to get to Rockaway from Brooklyn is the ferry.)

photo: @tinaeats_

Coming late summer: Oddfellows rooftop bar

By the end of summer, you’ll be able to get your fix of Oddfellows in not one, but two more locations. (This is in addition to the new Coffee & Cream concept store that just opened on Houston in June.) Bushwick will get a new parlor with a 2,500-square-foot rooftop bar, “DIY” ice cream sundae bar, and innovative creative food choices that goes beyond desserts. 379 Suydam Street, Bushwick. Meanwhile, in Dumbo, construction has started for another new branch of Oddfellows, across from the Empire Stores. You may think that Dumbo may not need yet another scoop shop, but with the crazy inventive flavors, expect long lines and happy customers. 60 Water Street, Dumbo.

Looking ahead, Empire Stores is shaping up to have an interesting mix of local and chains: the Dumbo House is now open for members, a new Brooklyn branch of J. Crew should be installed by late fall, as well as Time Out Market, yes, another food hall, but this one will have two floors of vendors, three bars and a roof deck, which according to a press release, should open by the end of the year.

Coming at the end of summer: Nitehawk in Park Slope

Although there is currently no firm opening date yet, Nitehawk will be opening another location in Park Slope. Taking the place of the defunct Pavilion theater (which has been closed for years), this theater will have seven screens and will be able to have a wider selection of movie lineups from classic to new releases, including more family-friendly programming. “We don’t have a firm date yet,” the theater wrote in an email response. “The estimation is end of summer.” In the meantime, they’ll be in Prospect Park with free outdoor movies July 18, 25, August 1 and 8th.

Brooklyn Bucket List

One Response

So many wonderful things happening in Brooklyn. Thank you for showing how wonderful, Beautiful n diverse my hometown has become. I have lived in Florida for over 30 years. I am encouraged to spread the word. Brooklyn is alive and hot again.